News

27th November 2017.

On Sunday afternoon, SEMRA responded to an incident in the Comeragh Mountains where a hill walker had suddenly been taken ill and was being attended to by the members of his group. The Waterford Coastguard helicopter Rescue 117 also responded, however given the weather conditions high on the mountain, they were unable to reach the scene of the incident to directly assist or evacuate the patient. They were able to deploy the initial SEMRA party closer to the scene. Other SEMRA parties were deployed by off-road vehicles. Once on scene, SEMRA Team Doctors & Casualty Carers attended to the patient. Unfortunately, despite the care provided the patient, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

SEMRA escorted the members of the walking group off the mountain to the off road vehicles & then transported them back down to their cars. The patient’s remains were then stretchered from the mountain to the off road vehicles and transported down to the roadhead where they were handed over to An Garda Siochana at approximately 10pm.

SEMRA wish to express our sincere condolences to the family & friends of the deceased walker on their sudden loss.

SEMRA also wish to thank the following agencies for their assistance with the incident:

An Garda Siochana, Waterford & Dungarvan

Irish Coast Guard Helicopter, Rescue 117 Waterford.

National Ambulance Service

Kilbrien Hall Committee

20th September 2017. SEMRA are happy to report that after a prolonged search in the Galtee Mountains a missing male walker has been found safe and well this morning. SEMRA were initially tasked on Tuesday evening to search for a male walker who had been reported missing. The initial night search was carried out in heavy mist and very poor visibility.

Further search planning took place in the early hours of this morning when the search parties had returned to the road head at the Black Road. The search resumed at first light this morning. The multi agency operation included Kerry Mountain Rescue Team, Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team, SARDA, Tipperary Civil Defence, Cahir Gardai, Valentia Coast Guard. Rescue 117 was on standby but the cloud and rain prevented it’s deployment on the mountain.

The missing walker who had spend the night on the mountain was located shortly after 10am today. He was able to walk of the mountain to the Black Road and was transferred by waiting Land Rover to the rescue base. Thanks to all the organisations and locals who helped bring this search to a positive conclusion.

SEMRA provide a voluntary mountain rescue service to the South East on a 24hour by 365 days per year basis. The team which was founded in 1977 has been in existence for 40 years this year. The team recently completed it’s 400th callout over the 40 year period.

27th August 2017.SEMRA were called out by Gardai at 14.15 on Sunday the 27th of August to assist an injured female walker on Galtymore. Helicopter evacuation was not possible due to low cloud. Team members carried the casualty by stretcher off the mountain to a waiting Land Rover. The casualty was then transported by Land Rover to the trail head. The injured walker was treated by the SEMRA team doctors and HSE Ambulance Crew. Thanks for the cooperation of all agencies involved. The team was stood down at 19.20.

31st July 2017.SEMRA along with a number of other MR teams supported Mayo Mountain Rescue for the annual pilgrimage on Croagh Patrick on Sunday. An estimated 20,000 people took part. There were 14 members of SEMRA in attencance and they were on the mountain from 9am to 5.30pm. This is a very valuable learning experience especially for some of our newer members.

25th July 2017.

Full details of the two callouts to Coumshingaun area on Saturday.Incident 1. South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association (SEMRA) were called by An Garda Síochána to an incident above Kilclooney Woods on Saturday the 15th of July at 11.40. The team initiated a full team call out to assist and injured male walker who was with a group making their way to Coumshingaun Lake. The walker had sustained a lower leg injury. Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue 117 were also tasked to the scene. The walker had sustained a lower leg injury. A number of scouts in the area helped to indentify the location of the incident to Rescue 117 when they arrived at the scene. Three SEMRA team members then arrived and managed the Hi Line for Rescue 117 as the injured walker was winched into the helicopter. He was transported to University Hospital Waterford.

Incident 2. Just after the helicopter had departed for University Hospital Waterford SEMRA received a second call from An Garda Síochána to another incident which occurred near the lower lake at Coumshingaun. This was just a few hundred meters from the first incident. SEMRA team members who had responded to the first incident made their way uphill and arrived at the second incident within a few minutes. A male member of a scouting group had been injured after a relatively simple fall. He sustained lower leg injury and minor head injury. A female scout slipped and injured her back while going to the assistance of the first casualty. Subsequent to that another male scout tripped while walking away from the scene and sustained an arm injury. All casualties were assessed and treated by the SEMRA team doctor on scene. Rescue 117 returned and airlifted the female teenage scout to University Hospital Waterford. SEMRA evacuated the second casualty by stretcher off the mountain. The third injured scout was able to walk and SEMRA assisted him off the mountain. The scouting group were very well equipped and had several adult leaders with the group. They managed each incident very competently before SEMRA members arrived, drawing on their scouting skills including first aid training. One of the scout leaders described it as “’a series of unfortunate events”. We understand that two of the scouting casualties were quickly discharged from hospital and we wish the third casualty a speedy recovery.Incident 3. Another walker who was on the hill on the day, in a separate group had fallen and received a head injury. His group stopped at our incident base and he was treated by the SEMRA team doctor. The operation concluded at 16.45.Thanks to The Gardai, Rescue 117 and all the scouts for your cooperation. Hopefully we will see all the scouts back out enjoying the hills in the near future.

27 June 2017 South Eastern Mountain Rescue were one five organisations to be honoured by the the Comeragh District Council in Dungarvan. Cllr John O’Leary, outgoing Cathaoirleach of the Comeragh District Council presented scrolls to five community groups. Roy Johnston (Chair of SEMRA) accepted the scroll on behalf of SEMRA. The other recipients were: Dawn Players, Ballyduff, Portlaw Musical Society, Gealach Gorm Theatre, Kill and Bonmahon Lifeboat. SEMRA wish to thank Cathaoirleach Cllr John O’Leary and the other councillors for hosting this reception. Your recognition of our work is greatly appreciated.

08th December 2016. Team was called to assist injured walker on the road above Aherlow House. Walker was transported off the hill by a four whee vehicle which was in the area while the team was en route.

18th November 2016. Team was taked to search for two walkers lost in the Nire Valley. Walkers were found safe and well close to the car park in the Nire Valley.

19th October 2016. Team worked in joint operation with Rescue 117 and Gardai to provide medical assistance and evacuation of injured walker from the dry coum south west of Kilclooney.

20th September 2016. Team called out for injured walker in Coumshingaun. Casulty air lifted to hospital by Rescue 117 while the team were en route.

17th September 2016. Members of SEMRA and relatives of the three men who died in the 1976 air crash in the Galtee Mountains commemorate the 40th anniversary of the accident.

5th and 6th September 2016. Overnight search for missing walker on Galteemore. Walker located safe and well and guided off the mountain.

3rd September 2016. Rescue of injured walker from the north side of Galteemore. Team members carried the injured walker off the mountain by stretcher to waiting ambulance.

14th August 2016. Injured walker rescued at Mahon Falls. This was a joint operation involving Gardai, HSE Ambulance Service and The Coast Guard. The injured walker was removed by Helicopter to University Hospital Waterford.